Track 2 Track: All Love

Vinson: "The prisons and the graveyards are full of boys who wore the crown."
Marlo Stanfield: "Point is: they wore it."

Rap has always been a competitive sport. And like all sports everyone is looking to wear the crown. No matter how it happened or when it happened as Marlo put it so assertively, "Point is: they wore it." It's a respect that comes with it no matter how much you like or dislike the one who wears the crown. The sport of hip-hop is no exception. It's become a sport within itself where the winner takes all. And once you wear the crown you realize that there's always someone younger and hungrier looking to take it. The Tulsa hip-hop scene is an example of this. Tulsa has a rich history of royalty who wore the crown and have been celebrated during their time. But time is a funny thing, especially the past and the present. In a world of overthrows and takeovers the saying goes, " le mort saisit le vif" or "Long Live the King". Because many times the transfer of power comes at the demise of the former king, and makes way for the new king. But what would happen if both kings could exist? Both helping each other and championing the other? Now that would be an empire. That would be a land of kings. And with that Playya 1000, The Deeksta, and Steph Simon are proving it's possibe on their new record entitled "All Love".

Many might not know this, but this isn't the first time all three kings shared the mic. Steph Simon brought Playya 1000 and The Deeksta out on stage for the Hip-Hop 918 concert last year. And if you were there you got to see why Playya 1000 and The Deeksta are kings. The crowd both young and old alike shared this energy and excitement. It was truly feelin like a Sunday Morning!

I get to the bag,
Like I'm purse shopping,
Like ya ears on a flight,
We still keep it poppin',
                                          - Playya 1000

To really analyze this record you have to start from it's foundation. And this is where The Deeksta continues to shine. His legendary production has always been a staple sound for not only the duo but Tulsa in general. As the soulful samples and G-Funk feel good percussion has been his production calling card. He's set the stage for Playya 1000 to create and come up with some of the dopest punchlines that still continue to amaze hip-hop enthusiasts alike. All Love shows just this the dynamic duo doing what they do best, and yet there's more to the story. It's when you hear Steph Simon spit on the track that you realize what the song's really about. This is two generations saluting each other both past and present. But it doesn't stop there either. The cameo of St. Domonick shows as a salute to the future of Tulsa hip-hop. And if anyone has heard St. Domonick spit, then you know Tulsa hip-hop is in good hands.

Verses used to go for the Gibbs price,
Now I gotta Tax'em,
Don't ever say I came up and never came back,
I'm at McClain tryna teach em how to own their masters.
                                              - Steph Simon

For an MC, having a verse after Playya 1000 would be a death sentence. But for an artist like Steph Simon this was an opportunity to showcase why time and time again that no challenge is too great. And yet this time it's a little different. This is a passing of the baton or better yet an alley-oop to the rim. The influence of Playya 1000 has trickled down to Steph Simon as he has become an artist who spits lines that you have to research. While his mastery of the double entendre is one of the reasons why he is respected across the board, and why he can be featured on a legends track. His flow not only crosses genres but generations of music as young and old alike play his music.

So if you still need a reason to listen to this track the thing to remember is that:
 
AT THE END OF THE DAY. IT's ALL LOVE!

​Make sure to follow all three artists on Instagram:

Playa1000: @playya1000
The Deeksta: @thedeeksta
Steph Simon: @stephxsimon